Ruthabel
Everyone has a way they want you to behave, what to wear, how to talk, but I want to quote scripture, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 21:35). This is what we should live by wherever we find ourselves but no, society won’t allow this. Society will prefer if women are regarded and seen as the weaker gender. As a woman, you are told to follow your dreams but just when you start to do so, they come back to bite you, trying to tell you what to do and not to do.
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Sanjana
I come from a land which is known for its culture and heritage, where bonds between families and people are at the highest. And I come from one of the states of India which is known as God’s own country - none other than Kerala. But still, sometimes we wonder, how can it be called ‘God’s own country’ when the women have no freedom?
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Fazila
Womanhood in Pakistan is beautifully summarized by Sara Suleri, that bodies of women in Indo-Pak subcontinent were colonized twice, first by the British and then by the men. A traditional Pakistani woman grows up in a sheltered environment, with most life decisions made for her by others. She learns the social code of conduct and morality early in life. Deep down she knows that her birth was greeted with less eagerness than her brothers.
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Mpho
I wish I could write this post more about how beautiful my country still is and all the beautiful places one can visit. I wish to dwell more on the various breathtaking landscapes that adorn the country but, I can’t. The past few years have been hard for the female community in my country. One cannot take a walk down the street without feeling chills down their spine when they realize that a man is walking a few steps behind them.
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Dilara
I've been luckier than most people in terms of parents, but still, when I think about it, I see the choices that were made by my parents were [influenced] by my gender. Most of these are to do with my safety, so I don't have the heart to blame them, but I do blame society. I am a woman in Turkey, and I can't do many things a man can, solely because of my gender. I can't be as bold as a man, can't stand up for myself as freely as a man, because I'm scared for my life. I can't be too confrontational, and can't be too chatty. What men think of me will affect my entire life, so if I trust the wrong men and make a mistake, I know it will follow me for a long time.
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Sidki
We as individuals are oppressed to let go of our spark, our flame, our power, because ‘no man can handle a strong woman who is independent and fearless’. They reduce us to a face and genital organs, being able to conceive - indeed it’s partly true [we do have that ability] and I’m embracing it fully, but today, I know that I’m much more. I’m going to break boundaries and create the extraordinary out of the ordinary because this is who I AM.
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Anee
I became a published author at the age of 17. I was sexually harassed on the street and overcoming that experience was a milestone for me. And when I overcame that experience, I started writing about it in poems. I'm passionate about writing. I'm devising that passion into bringing change. People text me after my articles. I get a lot of hate and that's how I know that somehow it’s working.
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Grecia
There are really hard decisions to take for women in Mexico. My freedom as a human being has not existed. Our power in personal decisions is almost over, fear of death is in every corner, most of us have to decide if we should go to college or start a young laboral life (what they usually mean is: have kids). Family is a really important part of this culture, but ignorance keeps on the ranking as the biggest problem. We, us, the Mexican women, are having a big fight for our fundamental rights, our integrity and existence. We are fighting for us to have a place where we live with a good quality of life and for respect.
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Kesi
Living in Jamaica is hard. Although we do have a high level of female senior managers, there is a lot of domestic violence and sexual harassment.
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Anna
I remember back in Elementary School I wanted to play football with some boys and they all denied to have me there. I insisted and a boy told me; "Girls don't play football, you idiot! Girls do silly stuff like playing with dolls!". Four years later, in Middle School, a girl in my class said that she wanted to work in the Army and some boys laughed at her and said that "girls are weak and wouldn't last a day in the Army". They encouraged my classmate "to do something more feminine" in her life. Last but not least, is something my own uncle said one Sunday afternoon. We were having a conversation about the economy of our country and he said that "one of the worst things that ever happened was when women could get jobs because they spend valuable money on stupid stuff like make-up".
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Rizki
They can have a job and career, but those jobs and careers are designed to fit women, meaning they usually feminize the career itself.
For example, a secretary, a treasurer, or a teacher is considered a women's job because of the stereotype that women are more careful, caring, compassionate, and able to distribute money more effectively than men. On the other hand, positions like leader, driver, or politician are reserved mostly for men, because of the stereotype that men have more logic and more physical strength than women.
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Bishara
I'm from a humble background. I'm a survivor, a warrior, a female genital mutilation champion, an activist, and a staff member of Kenya Ports Authority. I want to be remembered as someone who made the world a better place, to fight for the right of a girl child, to fight for their rights; to stop female genital mutilation, early marriages, rape cases, early pregnancies, school dropouts. I want to see a world without gender-based violence. I want to see a world where all girls and women reach their potential.
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Lisset
Even though our society has been evolving and molding to the new times, women in Mexico are still expected to get married and have children. Once you do have children, we’re expected to leave all our dreams and career behind in order to take care of our husband, children and house.
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Ebaide
The cultural patriarchal orientation is a major barrier. Most men are bred along this line and can never find a woman worthy of leading them. Some perceive it as a taboo to be led by a woman. Also, the laws are not favorable towards woman. There’s no law that dictates a 50/50 equality between both gender.
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Sheila
I am a lawyer who has decided to be intentional about raising my child(ren). I believe that how I raise them will impact how the next generation will be. Also, I am breaking the stigma of infertility by owning my struggle with infertility.
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Pooja
It’s very challenging being a woman, and especially when you are a housewife too.... but I know deep down, I can’t just spend life cooking - rather I have to also follow my dream. Women play very important roles in my society, but I feel there is a lack of self awareness within us here.
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Maira
The biggest barrier to gender equality is the lack of education and the influences of culture. Both men and women need to be educated on why gender equality is important and how it can even affect them if they do not focus on this particular point. Both genders need to uplift each other and make each other's lives easier, regardless of what the cultural norms and values convey, and this can only be achieved by giving the right type of education.
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Tehreem
Actually, I want everyone to know that I am a girl but I can face every problem - and I can overcome it!… For me, success is when you have inner peace. If you are disturbed you have not succeeded, but if you are happy from the inside then you are a successful person.
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Bharathi
Doomed if we do and doomed if we don't. The culture is ridiculously patriarchal, authoritarian, and dismissive of personal agency. Women are simultaneously dehumanised and deified. The Indian system of matrimony is a regressive and archaic one, and religion is used as an excuse to demonise womanhood.
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Pratibha
My mom and my other cousins who got married at really young ages, and were never given the chance to dream or achieve something in their lives are my biggest inspiration. And I just want to show all my family and society that I can not only jump, but I can jump to catch a flying bird. Most importantly, I want to explore how much farther I can push myself from my comfort zone.
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